Vikram Rathour Team Indias batting coach playfully tackled a question about Virat Kohlis move down to No.3 during the press conference ahead of their 2024 T20 World Cup Super Eight clash against Bangladesh. The Men in Blue will face the Bangla Tigers in Antigua on June 22.
Virat Kohli battle persists in the tournament opener showcasing an average of only 7.25 and a strike rate below 88 in four games. The unexpected decline in form raises eyebrows especially following his remarkable showcase as an opener in the preceding 2024 IPL season before the World Cup.
Virat Kohli led the run-scoring rankings, scoring 741 runs at an average of nearly 62 and a strike rate of 154.70 in 15 games.
Here’s a video of Rathour’s snarky response to the reporter’s question concerning Kohli’s continued opening role.
“We are not thinking on those lines (dropping Kohli down to No.3). We are happy with the batting order that we have. If any change happens, that will be to do with the opposition and the conditions that we come across.”
Vikram Rathour
Virat Kohli a prominent figure in T20I cricket often shoulders the onedown position boasting a remarkable average of 53.96 and an exceptional strike rate of 135.26.
Nonetheless his exceptional performance as a T20I opener remains exceptional despite this recent dry spell maintaining an average of 39 and an astonishing strike rate of almost 153.
“I’m not happy. I would love it if he gets going and scores more runs” – Vikram Rathour
Vikram Rathour stated he was disappointed with Virat Kohli’s problems, but believed it was beneficial for players to be challenged on occasion. He went on to say how it has provided other middle-order batters with crucial game time and run scoring opportunities.
During the pre-match press conference on the eve of the India-Bangladesh showdown, Vikram Rathour said as quoted by the PTI:
“I’m not happy. I would love it if he gets going and scores more runs. But yeah, it is good when you are challenged at times. You know, the guys who are not getting too much of batting in India sometimes, they are the ones who put up scores today and our middle-order came to play. So, it was good to see.”
Vikram Rathour
Meanwhile, despite Kohli’s dismal form, Team India has won all four games of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
They overcame Afghanistan comfortably by 47 runs in their Super Eight opener and will try to all but secure a semi-final position with a victory over Bangladesh.